Belt connector



Oct. 29. 1940. N. J'. RITZERT ET AL 2219,399

' BELT CONNECTOR Filed Nv. 24, 1959 2 snetS-shee 1 Juve-Ana Nommw J. R/Tzem',

sv EDWARD H.K :1v/ER,

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Oct. 29, 1940. N. J. RlTzERT ET AL BELT CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EIE. 7.

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I *Jrwm NORMAN IRITZERT,

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DWARD H. KREMER, .evd 5 a Z www Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ton, Ohio, assgnors to The Dayton Rubber Manufacturing Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 24, 1939, serial No. 305,806

7 Claims.

This invention relates to "belt connectors and particularly to an improved belt connector having a removable link and bearing assembly.

It is an objectof this invention to devise a belt connector having removable bearings or bush-V ings which are replaceable, when worn, while retaining the connector straps or bails and link assembly for further use. 1

Another object is to provide a connector o-f the character described such that the worn bearing parts and linkage assembly may be taken apart and replaced without removing the conn'ector straps or clamps from the belt ends.

Another object is to provide a belt connector having improved construction wherein the center pin link and bearing parts are readily dissembled and replaceable.

Another object is to devise a belt connector which is easy to assemble. To this end the connector straps or bails may be fastened to the belt ends in the shop, and thereafter the belt is installed on the drive mechanism and the ends coupled'together by positioning the removable link in place and inserting the threaded screws into the pins. This feature of construction is particularly advantageous vwhen the connector straps. are attached to the belt ends by means of nails or the like fastening members.

Another object is to provide a belt connector of improved construction comprising belt end straps interconnected by a removable link and pintlef assembly.

Another object is to devise a connector of the type mentioned having two center pin members 35 linked together forming a removable connecting link and bearing assembly for coupling a pair of belt end straps together. facilitates the removal of the belts and .connectors from the drive pulleys and associated 4b mechanism.

vention taken in connection with the drawings,

4 wherein:

Figure v1 is a side elevation view of the ends of a belt interconnected by a belt connecto-r constructed according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a similar elevation view, partly in section, of the belt vconnector of this invention,

This construction v and showing the connector strap attaching means;

Figure` 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section view taken thro-ugh the belt ends and connector;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Figure 2; v

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view in sectionv illustrating a modied construction of the belt connector; f

Figure 6 is a plan view of a horizontal section, similarly as in Figure 4, showing an alternative belt connector construction;

Figure '7 is a top plan View of a belt connector similar in construction to that illustrated in Figure 4', but having non-circular apertured flange portions adapted for receiving nails, rivets or the like to fasten the strap to the belt body;

` :Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-'8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view similar as in Figure 4, illustrating another modified form ofv belt connector construction. l

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figurel shows the belt ends I0 and II joined by a connector of this invention generally designated I2. The belt as` shown isk provided with cutaway portions vI3 forming tooth-like members I4 which are arranged along the underside which enhance the'ready flexibility of the belt so that it can. pass around small diameter pulleys withoutvdistortingfthe body of the belt.r It will be understood, however, that the belt connector of this invention is vapplicable for connecting belts of 3'5'- any type construction, the particular belt structure shown being merely illustrative.

The belt connector of this invention consists of oppositely disposed clamp portions, strapsor bails, generally designated I6 and I1, which members are suitably shaped to t over the abut' ting endl portions of the belt. To accommodate the belt `structure illustrated, the strap I6 vcomprises a at upper or outer flange I8 and a lower or inner flange I9 and an intermediate loop section 20 which is` of somewhat narrower width thanthe outer flange portions I8 and I9.

At the rearward end of'the lower flange I9 isY` an upturned section 2l which is directed towards `the flange I8 and is disposed in the cutaway'sp'ace I3 against the back of the tooth section I4 so .as to firmly retain the strap onto the end of the belt'. ASpaced aligned aperturesY 23 are provided in the upper and lower flange portionsIS and I9 for receiving the screws 24 which pass through the belt end portions, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, so as to securely fasten the straps to the belt ends.

The loop portion of the straps I6 and I1 serves to receive the hollow cylindrical pin means which pins are secured together at their outer axial ends forming a link assembly by means of the interconnecting metal link end members 3| and 32, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 6. The pins 36 are formed of any suitable metal such as steel or the like and are preferably provided with a smooth machined cylindrical outer surface. The pins are drilled and tapped as shown at 33 to receive the threaded studs 34, as illustrated in Figure 4. Surrounding the pins 30 is a bearing bushing 35 which comprises an arcuate shaped surface portion 36 which is adapted to engage the inner surface portion of the loop 20 forming the straps I6 and I1.

The bearing bushing is preferably formed of oil impregnated fiber, as illustrated in the drawings. The resiliency of the material forming the bushing provides a cushion for the relatively moving parts of the belt connector so as to reduce the wear therebetween and increase the life yof the belt connector. Adjacentthe outer ends of the bearing bushing 35 there isl provided a fiber link washer 38 which may be made of similar material as the bushing. The metal and fiber link members can be used as separate parts,

as illustrated in Figure 4, or they may be joined together in pairs by the useof rivets 4|), as shown in Figure 5.

It will be appreciated that the metal link member and fiber washer means may be united together by riveting, cementing or in lany other suitable manner. Fastening of the metal and ber link members together provides a one-piece interconnecting link means which makes it easier to assemble the belt connector and eliminates the possibility of omitting the insertionof thel fiber link washer when it is required during assemblage of the connector. It will, however, be

l obvious that this invention is not limited to the link means 3| are preferably rigidly secured together as by riveting or otherwise expanding the end portions of the pins BIJ'against the member 3|, as indicated at 4I of Figure 4. In this way the spaced center pins are linked together to one of the interconnecting metal link members so as to form a unitary link assembly for coupling the belt end strap members I6 and I1 together.

To disconnect the belt connector and remove the belt, it is only necessary to unscrew the stud screws 34 in the link assembly and remove the center pin assembly to uncouple the belt ends. This eliminates the necessity of removing nails or attaching means fastening the belt and straps to the belt, or cutting of the belt end portions.

The stud screws 34 are preferably formed of Dar-delet thread which is a self-locking thread of conventional design which is capable ofresisting vibrations and remaining tight without auxiliary locking means. The locking surfaces are effected by the use of a tapered root of the,l

bolt thread and the tapered crest of the nut thread. The holes, of course, are made of similarly threaded Dardelet taps.

It will be understood, however, that when shape to nt the apertures 52.

Dardelet screw threads are not utilized, other means for locking the pins in position may be used so long as the assembly does not work loose. The stud screws 34 comprise an enlarged cylindrical portion 43 which is adapted to fit into the enlarged bore portion 44 of the pins 30. Adjacent the cylindrical portion 43 is an integral head section 45 which is provided with a tool engaging countersunk portion 4E. By the use of Dardelet thread the screws 34 when threaded into place are automatically locked so they do not work loose in service.

In the modification shown in Figure 6 the removable stud screws 34 are provided on both ends of the center pins 30 and the metal link members 3| and 32 are not fastened to the pins.

As shown in Figures 'l and 8 the belt connector may comprise straps having flange portions 56 and 5| which are provided with aligned apertures 52 for receiving nails 53 or similar fastening means. The apertures 52 are non-circular and are of tear-drop or wedge shaped crosssection and having the blunt end 52a toward the end of the belt as illustrated in Figure 7. The respective pairs of aligned apertures are adapted to receive a nail 53 which has a cross-section An enlarged head 55 of the nail engages the ange 5I. The nails are .adapted to be forced or driven through the end portions of the belt as shown in Figure 8 and the ends of the nails 56 are suitably bent over to engage the surface of the flange 50 to firmly lock the belt to the strap. The upturned flange members 51 are optional and are omitted when the belt or its ends are not provided with teeth or cog-like projections.

Figure 9 illustrates another modified construction wherein the coupling center pins comprise va sleeve member 66 which receives the screw bolt means 6I These screw bolts preferably have iiuted-socket type heads 63 and are threaded on the opposite ends to receive the nuts 64. Dardelet threadlock may be used to prevent the nut from `working loose. Interconnecting side link members 3| and 32 are rmly clamped together when the bolts 6I are screwed into the nuts 64. If desired Vthe nut members 64 may be xedly secured to the link 3| as. by welding or other suitable manner.

The bolt head 63 and nut 64 comprise integral cylindrical portions 66 and 61 respectively, which engage in the enlarged bore sections 69 formed at the outer ends of the sleeve member as illustrated in Figure 9. Rearward extending opposed flange members 10 are provided for attaching the connector sections to the abutting belt ends. Aligned spaced apertures 1| are made in the strap members 1U which are preferably of tear-drop shaped cross-section. Nails or rivet members 53 of corresponding cross-sectional shape are used for fastening the straps of the belt connector to the belt similarly as shown in Figures '7 and 8.

It will be understood that the above described structure of the beltconnector is/merely illustra-- tive of the manner in which the principles of this invention may be utilized and that it is desired to comprehend within this invention such modifications as come within the scope of the disclosure and claims.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is: Y

l. In a belt connector, means for engaging over the ends of the belt, means arranged between said belt end members forming a link assembly for coupling the belt end members together, said link assembly comprising spaced center pins having bearing bushing associated therewith and interconnecting links joining the adjacent opposed ends of said spaced pins, one of said links being permanently fastened to said pins, and means associated with said pins for removably securing said pins to the other of said interconnecting links.

2. In a belt connector, belt end strap members for attaching to the ends of a belt, said strap members being spaced from each other and pivotally coupled together by means of a link and pintle assembly, said assembly comprising spaced center bearing pin members having interconnecting links engaging the outermost end portions of said pin members, one of said links being xedly attached to the ends of said spaced center bearing pin members, and means associated with said pins for retaining said link and pintle assembly fastened to said belt end strap members.

3. In a belt connector, belt end strap members for attaching to the ends of a belt, said belt end members being pivotally coupled ltogether by means of an interconnecting link and pintle assembly disposed therebetween, said assembly comprising spaced bearing pins provided with replaceable bearing bushings and removable fastening means for locking said pintle assembly to said belt end strap members to provide rocking engagement between the straps with positive holding against dislodgment, said bearing pins comprising a bolt and nut assembly.

4. In a belt connector, a pair of belt end clamping members, said belt end members comprising loops, said loop portion being adapted to receive hollow cylindrical center pin members, said pin members being secured together at their outer axial ends by an interconnecting link means to form a pintle link assembly, said pins being provided with bearing bushing means which are adapted to engage the inner surface portion of said loop strap, and means comprising liber link washer means disposed adjacent said pin interconnecting link means.

5. In a belt connector, a pair of belt end members which are adapted to be attached to the ends of said belt in opposed relationship, a linkage assembly means comprising spaced center pins which are adapted to engage in the loop portions of said belt straps, interconnecting link means engaging the opposite ends of said pins and maintaining them in spaced relationship, at least one of said pins being xedly united to one of said interconnecting metal link members, and means disposedY on the opposite end of said pin means for removably fastening said pins to said oppo stely disposed metal link means.

6, In combination, a pair of belt end clamping members, means comprising a pintle assembly for engaging said clamping members and coupling the same together, said pintles being drilled and tapped to receive self-locking screw members for removably fastening said pintles to said interconnecting link means, and bearing bushing means disposed around said pintle members for providing a bearing surface for the relatively movable parts.

'7. In a belt connector, a pair of belt strap end engaging members, a replaceable linkage assembly comprising a sleeved pintle member positioned in each of said belt strap members, link means for interconnecting said sleeve members and v NORMAN J. RITZERT. EDWARD I-I. KREMER. 

